"Dance was respected and was understood as an activity that people enjoyed participating in on weekends". The Roaring twenties brought about numerous leisure activites, one of the most popular being dance along with its various types. This new time period was what emerged as the "Jazz Age", where women, known as flappers, no longer followed by their mother's example but rather rebelled against societies expectations. From 1920 to 1929 America displayed a revolution consisting of new freedom and powerful change.
Economic Influence
"During the 1920's the United States' economy was growing and expanding". World War I resulted with some very lasting effects, but consumerism's continually growth had to be one of the more crucial aspects. After the war hundreds of people were making lots of money however this wasn't due to working extremely long hours, but buy putting their money into the stock market. The pressure of being able to support a family disappeared and was replaced by a vast amount of happiness and relief. Due to these feelings and working less hours, people possessed large quantities of free time with which they used to get out of the house and enjoy themselves by some means of entertainment such as dancing or observing a musical performance. Having so many of these people attend the events mentioned caused an increase in income where the arts were involved as well. The "no worries policy" implied during the twenties came to an abrupt end just as quickly as it had begun on a day only nine years later. October 29, 1929 is also known as Black Tuesday and the fateful day that the stock market turned against the best of them by declining. This event set in motion a depression made up of lost jobs, minemal survival, and no free time. People then went back to their usual lifestyle of not going out as much for entertainment purposes since there was no money and most were looking for new jobs.
Political Influence
"They say that the 1920's were all about success, prosperity, jazz, and liquor, but behind the wall of the white house, there were many scandals no one knew about". The stock market was perhaps the most relied upon way to receive money quickly and effortlessly. "buyers bought shares of companies that eventually increased in value, and made the shares worth more. Then the buyers would sell them and earn money." President Warren G. Harding was highly against the uncivil manner in which people were behaving since he didn't approve of drinking, dancing; especially of the 1920's, and partying. Harding was very conservative and pushed for a "return to normalcy". This was installed by means of taxes, tariffs, immigration restriction, and labor rights. However, while still in office the end came for Harding by way of a heart attack. Federal tax cuts and high tariffs were issued by the new president, Calvin Coolidge, which many people favored. His wonderful and well liked ideas discontinued when he decided not to run in the 1928 Presidential election. From this election Herbert Hoover becomes president, but right away must handle the start of a depression.
Cultural Influence
"Since this time period dealt with the issue of Prohibition people found it conveniant to attend parties, primarily at clubs, to enjoy dancing". The rebellious women before mentioned as flappers played a huge part in moving towards a more free to do whatever sort of feeling. This laid back period lasted up until the stock market crash when money then became tight and very scarce. Religion had a miniscule role in all of this mostly because the church had more important things to consider and were tied up in heated arguments involving the people of science questioning the church.
Relation to The Great Gatsby
"Dance isn't a form it's a way of life". In Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, there are a few instances in which the way of life is shown. For instance Gatsby's party related a setting very similar to what has been historically stated for the perfect party with great conditions for dancing. His house is filled with hundreds of people, some invited, most not. Everyone acts in inappropriate manners while drinking, dancing, and partying; the very things Harding had disapproved of.
The Great Gatsby - original cover
Great Gatsby - movie cover
Types of Dance
"This is an era of highly energetic dances done by the younger generation." Over twenty various dances either came about or just started to become very popular in the 1920's. Black Bottom originally came from New Orleans aroung the 1900s, but was brought to New York by way of a theatre show called Dinah and was later featured in 1926 and 1927 by the George White's Scandals at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. Jazz player and occasional composer, Jelly Roll Morton, wrote a song called "Black Bottom Stomp" to accompany the dance. Some famous peformances of the Black Bottom were by Ginger Rogers, Ann Pennington, and Tom Patricola. The Charleston had to have been the most famous dance of the twenties. Named for Charleston, South Carolina, this dance came about around 1923 and is most associated with white flappers and speakeasies. Immoral and suggestive its praise is mostly due to the song called The Charleston composed by pianist, James P. Johnson. Some of the Charleston's famous dancers include Mae Barnes and Josephine Baker. The Foxtrot was invented by Vaubeville after, Harry Fox and was the most popular jazz dance of all time. This ballroom style dance involved the stagger steps, creating a rhythm of slow, slow, quick, quick. Based upon legends, Fox could not find any female dancers to do the original and difficult two-step, so that is why he created the stager-step, otherwise known as Two Trot. Considered the biggest Foxtrot of all time was to the famous “rock around the clock” by Bill Haley and His Comics. The one person most acclaimed for his fox trot was the dancing star Fred Astaire. The Lindy Hop moved to the NY area in 1927 and consists of many different dances such as Jazz Tap, Breakaway, and the Charleston. Originally, this dance came from the African-American culture but later evolved. This fused together a variety of African dances and the eight-count structure of partner dances belonging to the Europeans. The most popular Lindy dancers by far are “Shorty”, George Snowden, and Big Bea. The Balboa consists of a close embrace and a body connection. This form of swing dance is many a time referred to as the “dancer’s dance” rather than “a spectators dance” due to the discreet communication between the two partners. One of the more famous Balboa dancers was Willie Vesatoss. Other popular dances of the 1920’s includes Cap, Jive, West and East Coast Fling, and the Slow Waltz. The Collegiate Shag is similar in a visual sense to the Balboa, both swing dances, but differences in footwork. This dance calls for a lead and follow in a close condition. "Shag" is actually slang that refers to early Vaudville performers, who displayed such lively entertainment. Arthur Marray was one of the famous Collegiate dancers.
Dance: The Charleston
Lindy Hop
Caljazz
Balboa Dance
In Conclusion...
From 1920 to 1929, America experienced nine glorious years of fun and excitement. World War I had brought about a sense of comfort and security, knowing that financial issues would not be a problem. A new wave of prosperity accompanied by easy money from the stock market is truly what made the twenties the best years of the United States. Among the various leisure activities dance was the most popular and associated throughout the ages.
Works Consulted
"Atire for the 1920's - 1930's Events." Grand Traditions Vintage Dance. 6 Mar. 2008. http://www.vintagedance.com/dress-20s.htm
"Foxtrot: History of Dance." Centralhome. 6 Mar. 2008. http://www.centralhome.com/ballroomcountry/foxtrot.htm
Fitzgerald, Scott F. The Great Gatsby. United States of America: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1926.
"Lindy Hop History." Information Delight. 6 Mar. 2008. .
Schilcher, Jessica. "Dance in the 1920's." The Great Gatsby. 28 Apr. 1999. 6 Mar. 2008. .
Dance of the 1920's
Nightlife/Leisure Home
"Dance was respected and was understood as an activity that people enjoyed participating in on weekends". The Roaring twenties brought about numerous leisure activites, one of the most popular being dance along with its various types. This new time period was what emerged as the "Jazz Age", where women, known as flappers, no longer followed by their mother's example but rather rebelled against societies expectations. From 1920 to 1929 America displayed a revolution consisting of new freedom and powerful change.
Economic Influence
"During the 1920's the United States' economy was growing and expanding". World War I resulted with some very lasting effects, but consumerism's continually growth had to be one of the more crucial aspects. After the war hundreds of people were making lots of money however this wasn't due to working extremely long hours, but buy putting their money into the stock market. The pressure of being able to support a family disappeared and was replaced by a vast amount of happiness and relief. Due to these feelings and working less hours, people possessed large quantities of free time with which they used to get out of the house and enjoy themselves by some means of entertainment such as dancing or observing a musical performance. Having so many of these people attend the events mentioned caused an increase in income where the arts were involved as well. The "no worries policy" implied during the twenties came to an abrupt end just as quickly as it had begun on a day only nine years later. October 29, 1929 is also known as Black Tuesday and the fateful day that the stock market turned against the best of them by declining. This event set in motion a depression made up of lost jobs, minemal survival, and no free time. People then went back to their usual lifestyle of not going out as much for entertainment purposes since there was no money and most were looking for new jobs.
Political Influence
"They say that the 1920's were all about success, prosperity, jazz, and liquor, but behind the wall of the white house, there were many scandals no one knew about". The stock market was perhaps the most relied upon way to receive money quickly and effortlessly. "buyers bought shares of companies that eventually increased in value, and made the shares worth more. Then the buyers would sell them and earn money." President Warren G. Harding was highly against the uncivil manner in which people were behaving since he didn't approve of drinking, dancing; especially of the 1920's, and partying. Harding was very conservative and pushed for a "return to normalcy". This was installed by means of taxes, tariffs, immigration restriction, and labor rights. However, while still in office the end came for Harding by way of a heart attack. Federal tax cuts and high tariffs were issued by the new president, Calvin Coolidge, which many people favored. His wonderful and well liked ideas discontinued when he decided not to run in the 1928 Presidential election. From this election Herbert Hoover becomes president, but right away must handle the start of a depression.
Cultural Influence
"Since this time period dealt with the issue of Prohibition people found it conveniant to attend parties, primarily at clubs, to enjoy dancing". The rebellious women before mentioned as flappers played a huge part in moving towards a more free to do whatever sort of feeling. This laid back period lasted up until the stock market crash when money then became tight and very scarce. Religion had a miniscule role in all of this mostly because the church had more important things to consider and were tied up in heated arguments involving the people of science questioning the church.
Relation to The Great Gatsby
"Dance isn't a form it's a way of life". In Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, there are a few instances in which the way of life is shown. For instance Gatsby's party related a setting very similar to what has been historically stated for the perfect party with great conditions for dancing. His house is filled with hundreds of people, some invited, most not. Everyone acts in inappropriate manners while drinking, dancing, and partying; the very things Harding had disapproved of.
Types of Dance
"This is an era of highly energetic dances done by the younger generation." Over twenty various dances either came about or just started to become very popular in the 1920's. Black Bottom originally came from New Orleans aroung the 1900s, but was brought to New York by way of a theatre show called Dinah and was later featured in 1926 and 1927 by the George White's Scandals at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. Jazz player and occasional composer, Jelly Roll Morton, wrote a song called "Black Bottom Stomp" to accompany the dance. Some famous peformances of the Black Bottom were by Ginger Rogers, Ann Pennington, and Tom Patricola. The Charleston had to have been the most famous dance of the twenties. Named for Charleston, South Carolina, this dance came about around 1923 and is most associated with white flappers and speakeasies. Immoral and suggestive its praise is mostly due to the song called The Charleston composed by pianist, James P. Johnson. Some of the Charleston's famous dancers include Mae Barnes and Josephine Baker. The Foxtrot was invented by Vaubeville after, Harry Fox and was the most popular jazz dance of all time. This ballroom style dance involved the stagger steps, creating a rhythm of slow, slow, quick, quick. Based upon legends, Fox could not find any female dancers to do the original and difficult two-step, so that is why he created the stager-step, otherwise known as Two Trot. Considered the biggest Foxtrot of all time was to the famous “rock around the clock” by Bill Haley and His Comics. The one person most acclaimed for his fox trot was the dancing star Fred Astaire. The Lindy Hop moved to the NY area in 1927 and consists of many different dances such as Jazz Tap, Breakaway, and the Charleston. Originally, this dance came from the African-American culture but later evolved. This fused together a variety of African dances and the eight-count structure of partner dances belonging to the Europeans. The most popular Lindy dancers by far are “Shorty”, George Snowden, and Big Bea. The Balboa consists of a close embrace and a body connection. This form of swing dance is many a time referred to as the “dancer’s dance” rather than “a spectators dance” due to the discreet communication between the two partners. One of the more famous Balboa dancers was Willie Vesatoss. Other popular dances of the 1920’s includes Cap, Jive, West and East Coast Fling, and the Slow Waltz. The Collegiate Shag is similar in a visual sense to the Balboa, both swing dances, but differences in footwork. This dance calls for a lead and follow in a close condition. "Shag" is actually slang that refers to early Vaudville performers, who displayed such lively entertainment. Arthur Marray was one of the famous Collegiate dancers.
In Conclusion...
From 1920 to 1929, America experienced nine glorious years of fun and excitement. World War I had brought about a sense of comfort and security, knowing that financial issues would not be a problem. A new wave of prosperity accompanied by easy money from the stock market is truly what made the twenties the best years of the United States. Among the various leisure activities dance was the most popular and associated throughout the ages.
Works Consulted
"Atire for the 1920's - 1930's Events." Grand Traditions Vintage Dance. 6 Mar. 2008. http://www.vintagedance.com/dress-20s.htm
"Foxtrot: History of Dance." Centralhome. 6 Mar. 2008. http://www.centralhome.com/ballroomcountry/foxtrot.htm
Fitzgerald, Scott F. The Great Gatsby. United States of America: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1926.
"Lindy Hop History." Information Delight. 6 Mar. 2008. .
Schilcher, Jessica. "Dance in the 1920's." The Great Gatsby. 28 Apr. 1999. 6 Mar. 2008. .